Device for scanning a disc-shaped data carrier, comprising a transport system for transporting the data carrier

ABSTRACT

Device for scanning a disc-shaped data carrier, comprising a transport system for transporting the data carrier. In the case of a device ( 1 ) for scanning a disc-shaped data carrier ( 2 ), with a pivotable data carrier plate ( 4 ), which features a receptacle for the data carrier ( 2 ), said data carrier ( 2 ) is to be able to be moved between the inlay position and the scanning position, which is at a higher level than the inlay position, by means of a combined sliding and swivel action, in order to minimize the design height of the device ( 1 ) with an adjustably held transport system ( 5 ) for moving the data carrier ( 2 ) between an inlay position and a scanning position, in which scanning position the data carrier ( 2 ) is located on the data carrier plate ( 4 ) for scanning, and with a guide device, such as a lever ( 9 ) or sliding blocks ( 17, 18 ).

Device for scanning a disc-shaped data carrier, with a pivotable datacarrier plate, which data carrier plate features a receptacle for a datacarrier, and with a transport system which is adjustable between aloading position and an operating position for transporting the datacarrier between an inlay position and a scanning position, in whichscanning position the data carrier is located on the data carrier platefor scanning.

Such devices include conventional drives for compact discs (CDs),irrespective of whether they are data CDs or audio CDs, and irrespectiveof whether the data carriers are read-only or can also be written to.Furthermore, such devices also include newer DVDs, which are mainly usedfor the storage of large volumes of data, in particular for storingfilms.

Conventional CD or DVD drives generally feature, by way of transportsystem, a loading unit which is designed for the purpose of transportingthe data carrier and with the aid of which the data carrier can bebrought from an inlay position to a scanning position, in which scanningposition the data carrier is located on the data carrier plate (discplate) for scanning, i.e. for playing back and recording. The datacarrier, in its inlay position, then normally lies at a higher levelthan in its scanning position because the data carrier has to be slidvia the data carrier plate and, by lowering the data carrier with thedata carrier plate, is then coupled or rests on the data carrier plate.Alternatively, the data carrier plate and a data carrier plate driveunit are raised to the level of the data carrier in its scanningposition. However, the equipment-related expense for the last solutionmentioned is particularly high. In the method mentioned above, which isapplied more frequently, in which the loading unit, following ahorizontal sliding movement in the direction of the data carrier plate,is lowered together with the data carrier, the design height of deviceswith such CD drives is relatively large or high. This is also compoundedby the fact that, for optical reasons, an insert opening, through whichthe loading unit can be moved, is generally provided in one such devicein the vertical middle of the device, as a result of which the overallheight is increased yet further. Such playback and recording devices fordisc-shaped data carriers, in which the loading unit is located in theupper portion of the playback and recording devices, can be designedwith a lower design height, although they are unsuitable to beintegrated into specially designed devices, such as DVD players withside bevels, as are frequently used at present, as they cannot beinstalled space-efficiently in the area of the side bevels of thedevice.

A drive of the type under discussion here is described in patentdocument U.S. Pat. No. 5,067,121 A, for example. In this drive, aloading unit or transport system conveys the disc-shaped data carrierfrom an inlay position to a position over the data carrier plate bymeans of a sliding action. The loading unit is then adjusted by means ofa swivel action in such a way that the data carrier is lowered onto thedata carrier plate into a scanning position. In this design, the levelof the data carrier plate is below that of the inlay position, whichmeans that the data carrier can be moved over the data carrier plate bymeans of a horizontal sliding action. This solution results in arelatively large design height or an asymmetrical arrangement of theinsert opening for the loading unit, which is ultimately undesirable foroptical respectively design reasons.

For the sake of completeness, reference is also made to playback devicesfor disc-shaped data carriers, in particular audio CDs, as are mainlyused for CD players in cars, which playback devices are designed withoutan adjustably held transport system and grip a data carrier with the aidof rubberized rollers and, subsequently, feed it to the data carrierplate with the aid of these rollers. Apart from considerably higherexpense in terms of the parts for such playback devices, the rollingaction of the rollers is not beneficial to the surface of a data carriercontaining the data being played.

It is an object of the present invention to create a device for scanninga disc-shaped data carrier, which device has as low a design height aspossible, even if the insert opening for the transport system is locatedin the vertical middle of the device. Furthermore, a device inaccordance with the invention should be able to be used in standardunits to drive the data carriers. Furthermore, a device in accordancewith the invention should be designed as simply, as robustly and ascost-efficiently as possible.

The object of the present invention, as stated above, is solved by meansof a device in accordance with the invention which can be characterizedin the following way, namely:

A device for scanning a disc-shaped data carrier, with a pivotable datacarrier plate, which data carrier plate features a receptacle for thedata carrier, and with a transport system which is held adjustablybetween a loading position and an operating position for transportingthe data carrier between an inlay position and a scanning position, inwhich scanning position the data carrier is located on the data carrierplate for scanning, and with guide means, which guide means are designedin such a way that the data carrier can be adjusted by a combinedsliding and swivel action between the inlay position and the scanningposition, which is at a higher level than the inlay position.

The device in accordance with the invention causes the disc-shaped datacarrier to be raised, during its displacement between its inlay positionand its scanning position, over the data carrier plate, which datacarrier plate, in contrast to existing solutions in accordance with thestate of the art, is located above the level of the inlay position. Thisarrangement results in a lower design height which, in turn, permitsgreater scope in the design of appliances, such as in DVD players andrecorders.

In a device in accordance with the invention, it has proved advantageousif the transport system comprises a main element, which main elementonly executes a sliding action during the displacement between the inlayposition and the scanning position, and a tray, which is movablyarranged on the main element, to hold the data carrier, which trayexecutes both a sliding action and a swivel action during the movementof the data carrier between the inlay position and the scanningposition, relative to the main element. This design of the transportsystem for the disc-shaped data carrier comprising two connected partswhich move together enables the combined swivel and sliding action ofthe data carrier to be kept structurally simple, so that the datacarrier can be raised over the data carrier plate by simple means duringmovement between the inlay position and the scanning position and cansubsequently be lowered into the scanning position on the data carrierplate.

Advantageously, the main element and the tray are connected via twosliding blocks which slide along the guide elements. This embodimentenables a device in accordance with the invention to be designed with ashort structure, which is advantageous in terms of a low installationdepth. The structurally short design is rendered possible by virtue ofthe fact that the main element does not have to be moved the entiredistance between the inlay position and the scanning position, butrather displacement of the data carrier between the inlay position andthe scanning position takes the form of a two-stage sliding movement,firstly, of the main element and, subsequently, of the tray. In afurther feature of the invention, the sliding blocks possess a slot forforming a link guide to hold a portion of a tray or of an elementconnected to it, causing the insert to be forced into a swivel actionduring movement of the sliding blocks relative to the main element. Onesuch link guide in the sliding blocks is a simple and effective means ofcoupling the swivel action to the sliding action. There are, of course,other drive means possible for the transport system.

There are drive means provided on at least one side of the transportsystem for the purpose of driving or displacing the transport systembetween its loading position and its operating position. These drivemeans may be designed in a variety of ways, for example in the form ofcable pull means.

Advantageously, there are drive means provided on each side of thetransport system for the purpose of driving the transport system. Withsuch a symmetrical formation of drive means, no strain arises during thedriving of the transport system between its loading position and itsoperating position, rendering this type of drive less prone tomalfunctions.

The drive means on both sides for the transport system are coupled veryadvantageously with a shared motor. This saves, first of all, onmanufacturing costs as there is only one motor required and, secondly,on space because space does not have to be provided for two electricmotors.

The drive means may be designed in a variety of ways whereby a geardrive system and belt drive system are particularly suitable.

One characteristic feature of the invention includes means for detectinga dynamic effect on the transport system in its loading position, whichdetection means are connected to the drive means for driving thetransport system.

The detection means may take the form of appropriate sensors or anappropriate mechanism. The detection means cause the automaticallyactivated transportation of the data medium from the inlay position tothe scanning position through a displacement of the transport systemfrom its loading position into its operating position when there is aslight mechanical force exerted upon the transport system from theloading position in the direction of the operating position. Thisestablished function is known under the term ‘touch to close’ and isparticularly advantageous in the system in accordance with theinvention.

It is also advantageous if there is a pressure device a clamper forpressing the data carrier, which is in its scanning position, onto thedata carrier plate, which pressure device is connected to the slidingblocks. As a result, when the sliding blocks are displaced, the pressuredevice is displaced, which pressure device generally takes the form of apressure plate and acts upon an element that rotates with the datacarrier.

Advantageously, there is a locking element for locking the transportdevice in its operating position, thereby preventing inadvertentdisplacement of the transport system during scanning, i.e. during theplaying or recording of the data carrier. This locking element can takethe form of a mechanically activated lever, preferably in combinationwith a reset spring, which lever is activated by the movement of thesliding blocks.

It is also advantageous if the transport system is arranged in thevertical middle of the device for scanning a disc-shaped recordingcarrier. These and other aspects of the invention are apparent from andwill be elucidated with reference to the embodiments describedhereinafter.

In the drawings:

FIGS. 1 a to 1 i show side section views of a device for scanning adisc-shaped data carrier, which feature a transport system for the datacarrier, which transport system is illustrated in FIGS. 1 a to 1 i indifferent positions between a loading position in the transport systemand an operating position in the transport system.

FIGS. 2 a to 2 e show perspective views of an embodiment of a device forscanning a disc-shaped data carrier, whereby the transport system isillustrated in different positions between the loading position and theoperating position.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of a device for scanninga data carrier in accordance with FIGS. 2 a to 2 e.

FIG. 1 a shows a device 1 for scanning, i.e. playing and recording, adisc-shaped data carrier 2. The device 1 is contained in a housing 3 andcomprises a transport system 5 and a playing unit, from which playingunit there is only a pivotable data carrier plate 4 visible. The datacarrier plate 4 can be driven by means of a motor (not shown). Thetransport system 5 is adjustably held between a loading position and anoperating position.

The transport system 5 comprises a main element 6 which only executes ahorizontal sliding action during the displacement of the transportsystem 5. Furthermore, there is an insert 7, for holding the datacarrier 2, which insert 7 is movably arranged on the main element 6. Themain element 6 can be moved through a loading aperture in the housing 3.In this case the disc-shaped data carrier 2 takes the form of an audioCD. It should be mentioned that data carrier 2 may take the form ofother disc-shaped data carriers, such as a CD-ROM or a DVD. By means ofthe transport system 5, the data carrier 2 can be moved between an inlayposition, in which inlay position the data carrier 2 is or can beinserted into the transport system 5 in its loading position, and thusis or can be placed onto the tray 7 of the transport system 7, and ascanning position, in which scanning position the data carrier 2 islocated for scanning on the data carrier plate 4 and the transportsystem 5 is in operating position (see FIG. 1 i).

In the device 1, the disc-shaped data carrier 2, in its inlay positionshown in FIG. 1 a, is at a lower level that the data carrier plate 4.Consequently, when the data carrier 2 is moved between its inlayposition and its scanning position, the data carrier 2 must be raisedover the data carrier plate 4, as shown in FIGS. 1 b to 1 i. There is adrive device 8, which may take the form of a belt drive device, formoving the transport system 5 from its loading position to its operatingposition, and vice versa. The insert 7 is connected to the main element6 or the drive device 8 via a coupling element 9 to facilitate acombined sliding and swivel action of the insert 7 on the transportsystem 5. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 a to 1 i, thiscoupling element 9 is created in the form of a lever-type element. Otherembodiments are also possible, which are examined more closely below inFIGS. 2 a to 2 e. Finally, the data carrier plate 4 and the drive device8 for driving the transport system 5 are secured to a frame 10, whichframe 10 is located inside the housing 3. Starting from the loadingposition shown in FIG. 1 a, the main element 6 with the insert 7 and thedisc-shaped data carrier 2 contained in the insert, is first of allmoved horizontally until the data carrier 2 sits just in front of thedata carrier plate 4, after which the insert 7 commences a swivel actionas shown in FIG. 1 b in order to raise the disc-shaped data carrier 2over the level of the data carrier plate 4, as shown in FIGS. 1 c to 1f. In the case of the situation shown in FIG. 1 f, the main element 6 ofthe transport system 5 has reached an end position, in which endposition the loading aperture is covered flush by the main element 6.The insert 7, with the disc-shaped data carrier 2 contained in it or onit, is then moved further via the coupling element 9, which couplingelement 9, now disengaged from the main element 6 of the transportsystem 5, performs an horizontal movement as shown in FIGS. 1 g to 1 i.As soon as insert 7, with the disc-shaped data carrier 2, is positionedover the data carrier plate 4, as shown in FIG. 1 h, the insert 7 isswiveled via coupling element 9 towards the data carrier plate 4, inwhich the insert 7 is moved downwards to the data carrier plate 4, andthe disc-shaped data carrier 2 sits on the data carrier plate 4 as shownin FIG. 1 i. This position corresponds to the scanning position in whichthe data carrier 2 sits on the data carrier plate 4 for scanning and isconnected torque proof to the data carrier plate 4. The movement of thedata carrier 2 back from its scanning position, as shown in FIG. 1 i, toits inlay position, as shown in FIG. 1 a, takes place in the reverseorder, as explained above on the basis of FIGS. 1 a to 1 i, for movementfrom the inlay position to the scanning position.

FIGS. 2 a to 2 e show an embodiment of the device 1 for scanning(playing and recording) a disc-shaped data carrier 2 (not shown here) ina perspective and partly opened representation, in which the transportsystem 5 adopts different positions between its loading position, asshown in FIG. 2 a, and its operating position, as shown in FIG. 2 e. Thedevice 1 comprises a frame 10 and the transport system 5, whichtransport system 5 comprises a main element 6 and an insert 7, whichinsert 7 is positioned movably on the main element 6, for holding thedata carrier 2. The transport system 5 slides along its guide elements11, 12, in which there is a drive device for driving or displacing thetransport system 5, preferably on both sides of the transport system 5,i.e. on either guide element 11, 12. In this case, this drive device is,as shown in FIGS. 2 a to 2 e, created in the form of a gear drive devicewith toothed wheels 13 and a rack and pinion 14 on the main element 6 ofthe transport system 5, whereby the toothed wheels 13 are driven by ashared electric motor 15. Other designs of drive devices which alreadyexist in principle, such as belt drive devices and such like, are alsopossible, of course. Above the transport system 5 there is a pressuredevice in the form of a pressure plate 16 (clamper), which pressureplate 16 presses the data carrier 2, which is in its scanning position(see FIG. 2 e), onto the data carrier plate 4 (not shown). This pressureplate 16 is located in the loading position as shown in FIG. 2 a, raisedoff the transport system 5, and is lowered on the data carrier 2 (seeFIG. 2 e), shortly before the disc-shaped data carrier is lowered intoits scanning position. In the loading position, as shown in FIG. 2 a,the disc-shaped data carrier 2 is placed into the designated recess inthe insert 7 of the transport system 5 by hand in the normal way.Thereafter, the motion sequence is started by pressing the designatedcontrol element on the device or by pressing the designated controlelement on a remote control device, provided for this, or by exertingpressure on the transport system 5 in the direction of the frame 10 ofdevice 1, which motion sequence is initiated with a horizontal movementof the transport system 5. This is shown in FIG. 2 b, where theright-sided guide element 11 is not shown, thereby rendering the slidingblock 17 visible, via which sliding block 17 the main element 6 and theinsert 7 on the transport system 5 are connected together. There isanother identically structured sliding block 18 positioned on the guideelement 12 on the left side of the device 1. As soon as the data carrier2 stops directly in front of the data carrier plate 4 (not shown), theinsert 7 is forcefully swiveled via a slot 19 within the sliding block17 or via a slot 20 within the sliding block 18, into which slots 19, 20there is a displacement part, such as a bolt 21 (see FIG. 2 c),protruding. In the position shown in FIG. 2 c, the main element 6 of thetransport system 5 has reached its end position, and the continuedmovement of the insert 7, containing the disc-shaped data carrier 2,inside the device 1 is brought about by the sliding blocks 17, 18, whichsliding blocks 17, 18, now disengaged from the main element 6, perform ahorizontal movement. The swivel action of the insert 7, and thus of thedisc-shaped data carrier 2, is achieved with the aid of a designatedlink guide on the insert 7 on the sliding blocks 17, 18 or on the guideelements 11, 12. In the diagram in FIG. 2 d, the insert 7 has reachedits end position, and the disc-shaped data carrier 2 sits on the datacarrier plate 4. Finally, the pressure plate 16 is lowered onto the datacarrier 2, as shown in FIG. 2 a, which is created by means of thecorresponding slots 22, 23 in the sliding blocks 17, 18 and in the guideelements 11, 12. The movement from the operating position, as shown inFIG. 2 e, back to the loading position, as shown in FIG. 2 a, takesplace in the reverse order, as explained above on the basis of themovement from the loading position to the operating position.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of device 1 as shown inFIGS. 2 a to 2 e, in which only those parts which are of importance tothe invention are shown and are described below. According to it, theguide elements 11, 12 are secured to the frame 10. A transport system 5,comprising the main element 6 and the tray 7, slide along the guideelements 11, 12. The connection between the main element 6 and the tray7 takes place via the guide elements 11, 12 and the sliding blocks 17,18. The transport system 5 is moved from its loading position to itsoperating position and back or the disc-shaped data carrier 2 istransported from the inlay position to the scanning position and backwith the aid of the drive device, which is created by means of toothedwheels 13 and a rack and pinion 14 on the main element 6 of thetransport system 5. This movement or transportation is achieved by meansof a shared motor 15. In this solution, the movement of the data carrier2 also takes place over the data carrier plate 4. In this case thedisc-shaped data carrier 2, in its scanning position, is also pressedonto the data carrier plate 4 with the aid of a pressure plate 16.

It should be pointed out that the solutions illustrated in FIGS. 2 a to2 e, as well as in FIG. 3, are only embodiments of a device inaccordance with the invention. The combined sliding and swivel action ofthe transport system 5 or of the tray 7 on the transport system 5 canalso be achieved with the aid of other mechanisms, e.g. with levermechanisms or with guide rollers or guide pins which slide along guideslots.

It may be mentioned that the transport system 5 may be designed to holdand transport more than one disc-shaped data carrier, for example three(3) disc-shaped data carriers, whereby the design may be such that onlyone disc-shaped data carrier can be inserted into the scanning positionon the data carrier plate at any one time.

1. A device (1) for scanning a disc-shaped data carrier (2), with apivotable data carrier plate (4), which data carrier plate (4) featuresa receptacle for the data carrier (2), and with a transport system (5)which is held adjustably between a loading position and an operatingposition for transporting the data carrier (2) between an inlay positionand a scanning position, in which scanning position the data carrier (2)is located on the data carrier plate (4) for scanning, and with guideelements (9), which guide elements (9) are designed in such a way thatthe data carrier (2) can be displaced by a combined slide and swivelaction between the inlay position and where the scanning position is ata higher level than the inlay position.
 2. A device (1) as claimed inclaim 1, in which the transport system (5) comprises a main element (6),which main element (6) only executes a sliding action during thedisplacement of the data carrier (2) between the inlay position and thescanning position, and a tray (7), movably arranged on the main element(6), to hold the data carrier (2), which tray (7) executes both asliding action and a swivel action during the displacement of the datacarrier (2) between the inlay position and the scanning position,relative to the main element (6).
 3. A device (1) as claimed in claim 2,in which the main element (6) and the tray (7) are linked via twosliding blocks (17, 18) which slide along guide elements (11, 12).
 4. Adevice (1) as claimed in claim 3, in which the sliding blocks (17, 18)possess a slot (19) or such like for forming a link guide to hold aportion (21) of the tray (7) causing the tray (7) to be forced into aswivel action during movement of the sliding blocks (17, 18) relative tothe main element (6).
 5. A device (1) as claimed in claim 1, in whichthere are drive means (8) provided on at least one side of the transportsystem (5) for the purpose of driving the data carrier (2) between theloading position and the operating position.
 6. A device (1) as claimedin claim 5, in which there are drive means (8) provided on each side ofthe transport system (5) for the purpose of driving the transport system(5).
 7. A device (1) as claimed in claim 6, in which the drive means (8)are coupled to either side of the transport system (5) and are driven bya shared motor (15).
 8. A device (1) as claimed in claim 5, in which thedrive means (8) take the form of a gear drive device.
 9. A device (1) asclaimed in claim 5, in which the drive means (8) take the form of a beltdrive device.
 10. A device (1) as claimed in claim 5, in which there aredetection means for detecting a dynamic effect on the transport system(5) in its loading position, which detection means are connected to thedrive means (8) for driving the transport system (5).
 11. A device (1)as claimed in claim 3, in which there is a pressure device (16) forpressing the data carrier (2), which is in its scanning position, ontothe data carrier plate (4), which pressure device (16) is connected tothe sliding blocks (17, 18).
 12. A device (1) as claimed in claim 1, inwhich there are locking elements for locking the transport device in itsend operating position.
 13. A device (1) as claimed in claim 1, thetransport system (5) is essentially arranged in the vertical middle ofthe device (1).
 14. A device (1) as claimed in claim 1, in which thetransport system (5) comprises a main element (6), which main element(6) only executes a sliding action during the displacement of the datacarrier (2) between the inlay position and the scanning position, and atray (7), and in which a coupling element (9) is coupled with the tray(7) and in which a swivel action can be performed with the couplingelement (9) during the displacement of the data carrier (2) between theinlay position and the scanning position.